Past tense, eye on future: Air India hikes pilots’ pay by 8% to 15%

NEW DELHI: Air India on Friday hiked pilot salaries by 8% to 15%, with commanders getting the biggest hikes and then the same tapering with rank. Going ahead, first officers or co-pilots will primarily get command upgrade (become captains) in AI Express (which has only single aisles) and then move to AI (which has wide body aircraft too that have higher pay) for a “strong foundation for progression within the group”. The group has tried to do multiple things — make AI Express more attractive for pilots through better pay and address shortage there mainly on the Boeing 737 fleet; check resignations and retain cockpit crew.AI pilots have for years been facing a 40 hour guaranteed pay — meaning they will get minimum for these many hours irrespective of actual flying and flying more will for more pay — while IndiGo has fixed pay for 70 hours. This has been a cause of heartburn among pilots. Under the revised framework while AI will continue to provide guaranteed pay for 40 flying hours but has enhanced flying allowance rates. Flying allowance rates beyond 40 hours have also been increased, aligning compensation with industry benchmarks while rewarding productivity.Now AI is restoring international flights that were slashed post the West Asia crisis and will return to Jan-Feb level by next month. The constraint of Pakistan airspace closure remains for Indian carriers and the longer routes they have to take for flying to and from the west — unlike direct routes taken by foreign carriers — means higher flying time and greater pilot requirement.Now a senior commander flying for about 55 hours in a month will get Rs 8.3 lakh, up from Rs 7.5 lakh at present. And a first officer doing so will get Rs 3.3 lakh, up from just over Rs 3 lakh as of now.While privilege leave has been reduced from 30 to 24, the airline will not be counting mandatory weekly off time pilots get as per regulatory requirement and the new leave structure accounts does not factor that which comes across as a cut in leave, said people in the know. IndiGo may relook at its leave policy too for pilots.Since Tata Group took over AI and AI Express in Jan 2022, the Maharaja has lost over Rs 55,000 crore due to multiple factors. The pilot pay hike announced Friday indicates it is looking at the future and preparing for growth with hundreds of aircraft on order without being bogged down by the tumultuous recent past.“New career pathways, enhanced compensation and benefits, and improved quality-of-life initiatives support Air India Group’s next phase of expansion. At the heart of these initiatives is a clear, structured and transparent career pathway that provides faster command opportunities, long-term progression and access to one of the most significant widebody growth programmes in global aviation,” said an official.Since 2022, AI Group has grown from around 100 aircraft to nearly 300 aircraft and has placed orders for 600 new aircraft, including 80 wide body aircraft. Tatas are investing in capability building, including the establishment of a modern aviation academy in Gurugram with Airbus and Boeing full-flight simulators, and a new flying training school in Amravati, Maharashtra.“As AI group expands, it is focused on developing and retaining internal talent through a structured progression model across Air India Express and Air India. Pilots across Air India and Air India Express will operate under a common seniority framework, creating an integrated and transparent pathway for career progression across the group. This framework provides greater visibility into future opportunities while ensuring a consistent and structured approach to advancement,” said teh official.

Under the new framework, AI Express will serve as “the primary pathway for pilots seeking command upgrades. This approach is designed to accelerate command opportunities, enable pilots to build command experience earlier in their careers, and create a strong foundation for progression within the Group.”Following command experience at AI Express, pilots will have the opportunity to progress to Air India and subsequently pursue widebody flying and command opportunities. “With 80 additional widebody aircraft on order and scheduled for induction over the coming years, Air India offers pilots a long-term pathway that is unique in the Indian market,” the official said. An additional incentive is being offered to pilots who sign up to support the growing Boeing 737 fleet in Air India Express under which they will receive a fleet allowance.